Bahrain reports 10 Covid deaths in past one week

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Ten Covid-19 deaths were reported in the past one week between February 16 and February 22. The numbers are second-highest for any week since the beginning of New Year as the previous week between February 6 and February 14 saw 16 deaths, the highest since January 1. The death numbers have risen to 1,442 and there are now 24 critical cases. The highest single-day death number (four) since the beginning of the New Year was reported on February 13 and February 22.

There were 3,425 new cases yesterday along with 4,823 recoveries and two deaths. There are 31,803 active cases including 67 hospitalised patients infected with Covid-19. Following approval by the Government Executive Committee, the National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus has updated the protocols for contacts of active cases, which came into effect starting last Sunday.

According to updated protocols, contacts of active cases will no longer have to undergo a precautionary period of isolation and this includes individuals who do not hold a green shield on the BeAware application.

“Rapid tests will be conducted for individuals experiencing Covid-19 symptoms and if the result is positive, they must head directly to one of the drive-through testing centres to conduct a PCR test.” The Taskforce has stressed the importance of continuing to adhere to the precautionary measures and the latest updates to protocols, in order to maintain the Kingdom’s successful coronavirus response and to preserve public health.

The Daily Tribune earlier reported about the Covid-19 curve beginning to flatten with new infections remaining stable during the past few weeks. Medical experts say this flattening of the curve reflects the Kingdom’s success saga in terms of administering vaccine and booster doses along with strict measures taken to tackle the spread of the virus.

On the vaccination front, the authorities have reaped great success; 12,27,305 have received a single dose of the vaccine while 11,97,343 received two doses; 950,713 have already received their booster doses.

The Kingdom has registered over 100,000 Omicron cases since January 2022, according to Lt Col Dr Manaf Al Qahtani, Infectious Diseases Consultant and Microbiologist at the BDF Hospital and Member of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating COVID-19. The first Omicron case was reported on December 11 last year and the infected had travelled abroad.

He stressed the success of the national vaccination campaign in achieving its goals, which contributed to raising the immune response for all age groups which took two doses and the booster jab. “The anti-Coronavirus vaccination has proven effective in reducing the incidence of complications for existing cases, thus reducing hospital admission rates and intensive care and the death toll,” he said.

He underlined Bahrain’s continuous efforts to combat the virus within the national vaccination campaign to protect citizens' and residents’ health and safety. “It is important to focus in the current stage on the number of existing cases whose health requires hospitalisation or admission to intensive care,” said Dr Al Qahtani.

Following approval by the Vaccination Committee, a second booster shot has been made available by choice for adults aged 60 years and above, and frontline medical professionals. According to the National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus, eligible individuals may receive any vaccine as a second booster shot, three months after receiving the first booster shot.